Cauliflower isn’t a vegetable everyone in my family loves. The kids will eat it if it’s loaded with butter, but for some of them, it’s not on their favorites list. Unless of course I make this loaded cauliflower recipe with bacon!
Last night, everyone in my family ate this, including my child who isn’t a big cauliflower eater. When I first created this recipe it was the result of a pregnancy craving for cauliflower, bacon, and cheese, and it is GOOD! Loaded cauliflower is a yummy mix between a loaded baked potato and mac and cheese. It’s a delicious way to get more veggies in your diet!
Loaded Cauliflower Casserole
Beyond tasting good, cauliflower is also super healthy. It’s high in vitamin C, and also has a good amount of vitamin K, several B vitamins, and potassium. And it’s so versatile! Mash it to create “mashed potatoes” or make roasted cauliflower by drizzling it with olive oil and garlic powder. Or of course, cheese and bacon it up like in this recipe.
For another variation of loaded cauliflower, make it with broccoli or garlic roasted romanesco instead.
Ingredient Options
You really can’t go wrong with cheese and bacon. This recipe is fairly simple with cauliflower, cheese, bacon, and some chives for garnish. It’s the ultimate comfort food that’s also gluten-free, low carb, and keto friendly. We eat it as a side dish, but you could add some shredded chicken or ground beef to make it a main dish.
Some cauliflower casserole recipes add greek yogurt, sour cream, and cream cheese to the cauliflower. You could add some for an extra cheesy flavor if desired, but I prefer it without. And if you’re dairy free, then feel free to omit the shredded cheese. Mild or sharp cheddar cheese, pepper jack, or mozzarella all work well in this.
I use a head of cauliflower in this recipe, but frozen florets also work. Cauliflower rice is much smaller and won’t yield the same texture as the florets.
Leftover Cauliflower Bake
If you happen to have some loaded cauliflower leftover you can easily reheat the dish. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Add the cauliflower mixture to a baking dish and top with a little fresh cheese. Heat until warmed throughout. If you want to skip the oven, you can also reheat the mixture on the stovetop in a skillet.
Here are some more topping ideas for your loaded cauliflower:
- Diced tomatoes
- Sour cream
- Diced, cooked zucchini
- Sauteed onions
- Chopped peppers
Loaded Cauliflower With Bacon
Equipment
Ingredients
- 5 slices bacon
- 1 head fresh cauliflower (or 1-2 bags frozen cauliflower, thawed)
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ cup cheese (shredded)
- 2 stalks green onion (chopped)
Instructions
- In a large skillet, cook the bacon on the stove until crispy.
- While the bacon is cooking, cut the head of cauliflower into bite-size pieces.
- Remove the bacon from the pan, leaving the drippings.
- Add the cauliflower florets to the pan, reducing the heat to medium-low.
- Cook, stirring occasionally until the cauliflower is tender.
- Sprinkle with salt and pepper
- Crumble the cooked bacon on top of the cauliflower, and sprinkle cheese on top of that.
- Leave on heat for an additional 1-2 minutes to melt the cheese.
- Sprinkle with chopped green onions and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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More Cauliflower Recipes
Serve these delicious recipes for family dinner or take them to your next potluck!
- Healthy Beef Stroganoff With Cauliflower
- Creamy Garlic Mashed Cauliflower “Potatoes”
- Cauliflower Paella Recipe
- Shrimp Fried Rice Recipe (With Cauliflower “Rice”)
- Chicken Broccoli Casserole with Cauliflower
What’s your favorite use for cauliflower? Do you use it to substitute for any foods? Share your tips below!
I haven’t made any recipe but look good.
Yum!
I made this last night and my family really liked it (which is surprising, because I’m usually the only one eating cauliflower). I did add some sour cream and heavy cream to the recipe to make a creamy sauce, which I really liked. Next time I might try adding some Dijon mustard and some horseradish into the sauce to spice it up a bit. Thank you for the inspiration!
Roasted cauliflower is also a great recipe. Cut into bite sized pieces, drizzle with olive oil season with sea salt or seasoned salt and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese. Bake at 400degrees for 20 to 30 minutes.
Delicious!! I added too much butter but otherwise…perfect! My family will now eat cauliflower!
We do the mashed/creamed potato alternative version, and it’s also great “twice baked”, with more goodies melted/sprinkled on top and an egg thrown in as a binder. Gives it a nice little au gratin character. Love your site!
I’m going to try your version next time. I love the idea of adding
the egg… seems like it would help with texture, and give some added
protein!
I like pureed cauliflower with garlic, salt, pepper, butter & sour cream. Tastes just like mashed potatoes! Even my boyfriend (a meat ‘n potatoes guy) loves it.
This looks awesome! I am new to your site but can see that I will be “sucked in” for many hours to come! What is the best way to print this recipe? Thanks so much for all the great info here! I am also relatively new to Paleo and IF, but enjoying both immensely.
I’m new here as well but I made the chocolate coconut clusters and I’m now a lifetime fan here. Delish! Next up: loaded cauliflower. If you feel a surge in followers, it’s cause I have a really big mouth! Love your site!!!
Hi wellness MamaThanks for your Cauliflower Recipe, I’m going to try that tonight, another alternative is mashing the Cauliflower up like Mashed Spuds, my kids can never spot the difference.